Fantasy Core Ireland Setting--Personalities Part 2

FANTASY CORE RPG
(c) Jerry Harris, 2013
Published here as Open Game Content.

Index

Finn MacCool: Legendary leader of a band of warrior-poets, the Fianna. He was an unparalleled warrior and had the gift of wisdom from eating the Salmon of Knowledge. Tales of his death are unclear. He may lie in a magic slumber in a hidden cave, to be awakened if needed.

Oisin: Son of Finn MacCool. Visited the Otherworld and stayed too long. He returned and became an old man when he set foot on mortal soil. He met St. Patrick who recorded his tales of the Fianna. He reportedly returned to the Otherworld.

Cailte: Warrior-Poet of the Fianna that survived long enough to tell his stories of the past to St. Patrick. He later passed into the Otherworld.

Cormac MacArt: An early high-king of Ireland and Finn MacCool and his Fianna. His wisdom was such that even the Fey consulted him. They gave him the gift of the Magic Bough, which could cure any damage or illness. Cormac’s spirit can be consulted (under the right circumstances) at his grave at Emain Macha.

Niall of the Nine Hostages: A high-king of Ireland of the O’Neill clan. His nine hostages were a sign of subservience of other kingdoms, (a common practice). Admittedly, this entry is here just because I like the name.

Irnan: Web spinning witch, who was also able to change into a monster. She’s still around, catching unwary travelers.

King Iubdan and Queen Bebo: Rulers of the little people (the colony of the halflings). There is surely some interesting myth to explain these people. Likely a touch of Fey blood in them. Ulster king Fergus Mac Leda obtained his magical water shoes from him. Iubdan may own other magical gifts.

Bran: Irish monk that undertook an epic ocean voyage to find paradise. He returned to Ireland to find that many years had passed and no one remembered him. Bran and his crew sailed back off. He’s still out there looking for paradise. He has much knowledge of the mythic Otherworld islands.

St. Brendan: Went on a seven-year ocean voyage to the West. He encountered an Isle of giant mice, Paradise Isle of Birds (lost souls), celebrated Easter on the back of a whale, saw Judas near the edge of hell (probably volcanic Iceland), went through the Sargasso Sea, and then found the Americas (either Florida, Mexico, or Nova Scotia). The journal of his travels, while fanciful, seems to have some actual geography to it. His journal would be invaluable to other navigators.

High-king Brian Boru: Not the first Irish high-king in name, but the first in practice. His deft defense against the Norse and canny political maneuvering brought him the title. Even his enemies held him in the highest esteem (not including a certain ex-wife). It is said that any Irishman defending the land against invasion may call on his name for guidance.

Gormlaith: Reportedly the most beautiful woman in Ireland. There may be some Fey blood in her, given her looks, unnatural (lack of) aging, and reported witchly power. Her ambition knows no bounds. She has been married three times. The first time was to the Norse king of the Dublin. The last time was to high-king Brian, who divorced her. Her desire for revenge started events leading to the battle at Clontarf. Gormlaith is still around, plotting.

King Sitric: Gormlaith’s son from her marriage to King Olaf of Dublin. Sitric, inherited that crown. His ascension lead to a natural alliance with his mother’s people of the Leinster province and the Norse. After the Leinstermen had been inflamed against high-king Brian, Sitric gathered Norse allies from as far as Iceland, promising several his mother’s hand in marriage, in an effort to take over kingship of Ireland. These forces met defeat by Brian’s united Irish forces at Clontarf. Sitric currently sits brooding in Dublin.

King Brodar: Participated at the battle of Clontarf on the promise of Gormlaith’s hand. As the battle was lost, Brodar escaped into Tomar’s Woods and came upon a nearly defenseless king Brian, kneeling in prayer. Avenging Irish would track him down and slay him immediately, cursing him to the spot. His ghost still reportedly haunts the woods, seeking release.